Jaw-Dropping Son-in-Law

Chapter 28

Bailey's expression darkened.

Is this scumbag threatening me right now? The head of the Archulean branch was my best friend while abroad and the one who led me into a career in design!

“Surely you jest, Mr. Luther. I was the one who unilaterally broke the contract. If anyone is to be dismissed, it should be me, the lead designer at the Archulean branch office. What does it have to do with Xavier? He has carried out his role dutifully and with integrity in Archulea, paving the way in the market for Luther Group's fashion brand over the years. Aren't you afraid of disappointing the hundreds of thousands of your employees by terminating him so indiscriminately?”

Artemis laughed softly, but there was no warmth in his piercing gaze.

She defends another man so impassionately, but when it comes to me, she won't even have a meal with me. Does she really hate me that much?

“I'm afraid you misunderstood me, Ms. Jefferson. Let me repeat myself. Xavier lacks good judgment and is incapable of fulfilling his role as the head of that office. Removing him from his post and sending someone else to replace him is nothing more than a normal case of employee transfer. A workplace is a cruel place, and only the strong survive.”

Bailey stared at him wordlessly.

The hell with that! Only the strong survive, you say?

After cursing inwardly at Luther's ancestors, she uttered through clenched teeth, “I'll do it. Mr. Luther, please let me know your sister's requirements as soon as possible so I can come up with a design according to her needs.”

Then, she stood up, scooped her bag from the table, and walked toward the door.

Artemis' expression turned grim, and he pressed his lips together into a thin, hard line.

You can't wait to leave, can you? Are you that desperate to go and seduce some other man?

After watching her leave, he reached for his phone on the table, pulled up Ken's number, and called him.

“Find out who Bailey is meeting and where.”

Over at a private room on the third floor, Edmund opened the door and walked in. When he saw Zayron and Maxton inhaling their food, he could not refrain from laughing and saying, “Eat slowly. Nobody is going to try and take it from you.”

Looking up from a heaping plate of lamb skewers, Zayron mumbled a greeting. “Daddy Eddy.”

Maxton also raised his head. Imitating Zayron's tone of voice, he called out softly, “Daddy Eddy.”

Zayron glared at him. “You're so shameless...”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Maxton responded with a snort.

Zayron glowered silently.

Edmund smiled as he walked up to the two boys. Reaching out a hand and stroking Maxton's head, he said gently, “You can only address me as 'uncle' because I'm your father's cousin. Don't make the same mistake again in the future, okay?”

Maxton broke into a grin, then nodded obediently. “Got it, Daddy Eddy.”

Just then, the door to the private room opened again, and Bailey walked in.

As soon as her eyes flitted over Edmund's handsome face, her cold gaze softened a little.

“I'm here.”

Edmund raised his eyebrows and lowered his gaze to glance at the watch on his wrist. He smiled as he said, “And I thought I was late. Didn't you go to discuss something with someone? Why are you here so soon?”

Her anger was evident on her face. She strode to the table, grabbed a drink, and took a few swigs. Then, gnashing her teeth, she muttered, “I encountered a rabid dog who started biting before the discussion even began. Let's not talk about him. I'm starving.”

Edmund smiled faintly. Naturally, he knew who the “rabid dog” she was referring to was.

He sure knows how to make her blood boil. As always, that cousin of mine is truly... infuriating.

“I've already heard about the details of what happened from Stephen. If you really can't handle it, don't force yourself. I'll talk to my cousin. I'm sure he still respects me enough to listen to me.”

Bailey waved her hand dismissively and replied in a nonchalant manner, “Is he that much of a big shot that you have to step in personally? It's just designing a dress. Don't worry. I can handle it.”

“She's right. He's not that important. Why should you personally get involved?” Maxton piped up, looking like he had completely forgotten whose son he was and who his father was.

Zayron rolled his eyes and said in disbelief, “It's my first time encountering such a despicable person as you. I can't believe I even took a photo with you a few days ago. I was truly blinded. Now, everyone is talking about us being brothers. Just thinking about it is nauseating.”

Shooting him an icy look, Bailey could not help retorting in a mocking tone, “One reaps what one sows. It's your fault for getting up to so many sly tricks and causing so much trouble for me. If it weren't for all

that money I wasted on feeding you for seven years, I'd stuff you back into my womb now so that you could grow up differently.”

Zayron stared at her, speechless.

And this is my biological mother!

Knock! Knock! Knock!

At that moment, someone knocked on the door to the private room. Thinking that it was the waiter, Edmund called out pleasantly, “Come in.”

The door opened, and a middle-aged couple entered.

Edmund and Bailey were both stunned when they saw who it was.

“Dad! Mom! What are you doing here?” Edmund hurried forward and reached for the coat draped over the crook of Yoel's arm.

When he went to take the bag Gwendolyn was holding, she slapped his arm away. “Step aside. Bay, come and help me take my handbag.”

Bailey forced the corners of her lips upward into a faint smile, then walked over to the older couple and started to explain sheepishly, “That... Mrs. Chivers, Zayron...”

Edmund grabbed her wrist and said with a smile, “Since my parents are here, we might as well take the opportunity to have a meal together. We'll all be family soon, so we should sit down and get to know each other.”

After hearing him say that, Gwendolyn quickly chimed in, “Yes, that's right! We're here to mooch a meal off Ed. This restaurant is one of the businesses our family owns. When I heard that Ed had made a

reservation here, I guessed he was planning to treat you all to a meal. Hence, I boldly invited myself. Bay, you wouldn't treat us as unwelcome guests, would you?”

Bailey could not help sighing inwardly.

My thoughts are a mess right now. Although I've nothing against Edmund, I'm not sure whether we'd be able to have a happy marriage.

“Not at all, Mrs. Chivers. After all, Edmund's the host of this meal. How could I possibly think that when I should be grateful that the two of you think well of me and are so kind as to come all the way here?”

Gwendolyn beamed from ear to ear.

This young lady is starting to grow on me. She's a good fit for Edmund regardless of whether it's in terms of her upbringing, aura, looks, or disposition. They're a match made in heaven!

She hooked her arm through Bailey's in an overly familiar way. Then, she pushed her bag toward the latter and said with a smile, “You're such a good girl for taking the initiative to take my bag. I'll take it as a sign of your respect and that you accept me as your elder.”

Bailey's arm holding the bag stiffened, and her lips twitched a few times despite herself.

So, this is the matriarch of the Chivers family. How interesting.

As Edmund gave a low chuckle, his deep and magnetic voice that echoed through the room sounded like music to one's ears.

Tossing aside the chicken drumstick in his hand, Zayron rushed up and flung his arms around Gwendolyn.

“Grandma, I'm a good boy too!”

Maxton mentally retched in disgust.

I'm going to puke!

He clicked his tongue and hissed through clenched teeth, “Suck-up.”

Instantly, the room erupted into laughter. Even Yoel, who had been silent until then, chuckled softly.

In contrast to the lively atmosphere in the third-floor private room, the one on the second floor was somewhat cold and silent as Artemis sat on the couch watching the surveillance footage.